Officials of the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) recently announced that mosquito pools in Scott County have tested positive for the West Nile Virus. It’s the first sign of the disease in the county this year. ISDH officials stated that citizens should take the appropriate precautions to avoid mosquito bites. There is no human vaccine available to combat the virus nor is there any known cure for West Nile Virus, but the illness can be prevented by following these steps: •Avoid being outdoors during prime mosquito biting times, dusk to dawn, when possible. •Apply insect repellent containing DEET and follow label directions when applying. •Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants. West Nile Virus is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes that have first bitten an infected bird. A person infected through a mosquito bite may show symptoms three to 15 days after being bitten. It’s safe to say that Hoosiers in all counties should take recommended precautions. According to an ISDH map, Scott joins 22 other counties where West Nile-positive samples have been found. Another nine Indiana counties are considered severely infested with virus-bearing mosquitoes. Washington County is the nearest county to Scott where such insects have been discovered.

County Commissioners' passage of new ordinance may affect biomass plant plans

Written by Marty Randall

Wednesday, 01 September 2010 00:00

A new ordinance passed by Scott County Commissioners Bob Tobias, Larry Blevins and Mark Hays at their meeting on Tuesday evening, September 7, requires plants involved in “...biomass combustion...” to obtain a license.

Damaged railroad crossing on State Road 56 will be replaced – and street closed

Written by Marty Randall

Wednesday, 25 August 2010 00:00

Motorists who travel over the railroad crossing on State Road 56 West, known locally as West McClain Avenue in Scottsburg, will rejoice to learn that plans are to replace the damaged crossing in mid-September. But the job is going to take from Monday, September 13, through Saturday, September 18, and that means traffic on S.R. 56 will somehow be detoured off one of Scottsburg’s main arteries throughout the project. Signs announcing the closure were posted on the railroad crossing on Wednesday morning, August 18. A telephone survey of city officials that afternoon indicated that the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT)

Nina Rae Keown still missing from Lexington area despite efforts to locate her

Written by Marty Randall

Tuesday, 17 August 2010 00:00

Though several residents and volunteers joined the Scott County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana State Police and other agencies’ efforts to locate Nina (pronounced Nee-na) Rae Keown, 26, their efforts last week were in vain. Keown has been missing since Saturday, August 7. She was last seen walking on that date near Plymouth Road and State Road 3 in the Lexington area, cutting through a cornfield to reach a local music festival.

Hensley agrees to plead guilty to Class A felony in 2009 child’s death

Written by Administrator

Tuesday, 17 August 2010 00:00

Jason Carl Hensley, 27, the man being held in the October, 2009, death of two-year-old Jacob Matthew Lord, will apparently plead guilty to a Class A felony charge of battery causing death. The charge carries a 30-year sentence with the possibility of five years of the 30 to be served on probation.